This is to see what other PA players think and if you agree with what i have to say here.

First the PA team instituted the eta change to cluster eta's to reduce def to -1 and attack to 0. This as i understand it was made in effort to reduce the large number of incluster attacks/farming that has gone on beforehand.

This would have been a very postitive change for the game if they had not, imo, Reintroduced the hypergate (eta -4) back into the game, once again speeding eta's, but not only does this re-speed cluster attacks back up but it also increases universe eta's to match cluster eta ( which was the inital problem as i understand it ). Effectively cluster ETA's don't change at all, but the entire universe speeds up to match those pesky cluster eta's we've all had to endure so frequently in the attempt to promote cluster alliances, it opened the way for some major farming.

With both these changes implemented it would only leave a maximum of about 1h 55min to cover any fighter or corvette wave launched at you or your gal. I don't truly see this as fair to the gals with less inactive members ( people who work, sleep or socialise at all). IF your in a top-notch active gal this isn't a problem, but only a handful of gals are like this as we've all experienced.

SO my argument is why not just to the -1 to cluster eta's as already planned and leave the universe eta's as is by not re-introducing the hypergate as the purpose was to remove those incluster farming/attacks with such low eta unfair to cover. This would solve the problem entirely, PURE and SIMPLE if you ask me, so what do the over thousands of PA players think of this idea/argument, whatever you choose to call it.

As i understand removing the hypergate and leaving the -1 to cluster eta's change in place, there would be no problems to the game. Apart from denying those OLD players a chance to relive the hypergate days . I also believethis would result in relieveing the pressure on less hardcore galaxies within the game and improving the gaming experience for those who don't necesssarily play for ranks. And thus give reason for more casual players to come/stay with the game as a whole, thus improving the whole PA experience we all enjoy so much.

I'll just quickly post here with what i understood Appoco's motivations were to re-introducing the Hypergate again. I brought this up in my PM.

First and foremost, this "change" is essentially a rollback to the ETA environment that existed before the "new" cluster eta system was made. As such, it was expected that everyone would be fine with it because that how it used to be.

Further, without introducing the hypergate into the mix again, galaxies would have some 5 ticks to sort and cover all CR and BA class attacking fleets; atm including Cathaar CR, Etd and Terran BA, Zik CR & BA fleets, which is a large proportion of the attacking fleets. In the hyper-active galaxies, that is a *really* long time.

However, having said all that, i think what you have to say is actually quite valid and makes alot of sense; essentially, this round, the whole universe can roid you with cluster etas when compared to last round. Perhaps that might place unnessary strain on smaller galaxies.

Low eta incluster attacks were effective because only your gal could defend against it (there generally isn't much cooperation and defence in clusters in which incluster attacks take place). And although now the number of planets that can attack you has increased, the number of planets that can defend you has increased a lot more, especially if you're in an alliance. Remember, when the whole universe can roid you, the whole universe can defend you (1 on 1), when your cluster can attack you, generally only your galaxy will defend you (1 on 15?).

__________________The outraged poets threw sticks and rocks over the side of the bridge. They were all missing Mary and he felt a contented smug feeling wash over him. He would have given them a coy little wave if the roof hadn't collapsed just then. Mary then found himself in the middle of an understandably shocked family's kitchen table. So he gave them the coy little wave and realized it probably would have been more effective if he hadn't been lying on their turkey.

Low eta incluster attacks were effective because only your gal could defend against it (there generally isn't much cooperation and defence in clusters in which incluster attacks take place). And although now the number of planets that can attack you has increased, the number of planets that can defend you has increased a lot more, especially if you're in an alliance. Remember, when the whole universe can roid you, the whole universe can defend you (1 on 1), when your cluster can attack you, generally only your galaxy will defend you (1 on 15?).

Actually this isn't true. Only your alliance/cluster can defend agaisnt fi/co waves, which is where i have the most problems re-introducing the hypergate.

And secondly not all if any ever get to 15 members in their gal, and the chances of even half those being active is remarkably slim.

And not all alliances can/will come through for def at all times, the change jsut serves to make fi/co dominate the game and give those PA players with a life essentially a waste of money as they can't even organise def agaisnt them (unless they're glued to the pc 24/7) which not many PA players are, some DO have a lifestyle.

How about people forget about the fact its a reversion to <r20 days and try to udnerstand my point of view and reasonign behind the post.

Actually this isn't true. Only your alliance/cluster can defend agaisnt fi/co waves, which is where i have the most problems re-introducing the hypergate.

And secondly not all if any ever get to 15 members in their gal, and the chances of even half those being active is remarkably slim.

And not all alliances can/will come through for def at all times, the change jsut serves to make fi/co dominate the game and give those PA players with a life essentially a waste of money as they can't even organise def agaisnt them (unless they're glued to the pc 24/7) which not many PA players are, some DO have a lifestyle.

How about people forget about the fact its a reversion to <r20 days and try to udnerstand my point of view and reasonign behind the post.

I think these changes are for the better. Re-introducing eta -4 will not make it harder for you to get def outside gal, it will only reduce youre gal mates time to respond by 1 tick. And my experience on gettin in gal def is that it's more dependend on if your galmates have free fleet spots then anything else.

My main point is its not necessary to introduce hypergate back into the game as the first change has the same desired effect to make attack eta's the same. And no fleet slots is not always the case, probably 90% of PA players sleep between 0 and 8 GMT, meaning anything between here is almost guaranteed to get through. Which is ridiculously crazy if your in a smaller less active gal or have galmates with a life.

Im not saying it screws up my lifestyle personally, but it can and will affect a large number of casual PA players.

This round is going to be hectic, chaotic and too fast paced imo, especially for the new players PA so desperately tries to get and keep.

with the cluster 'bonuses' it made it such that fi/co in cluster attacks were only defensible in cluster/galaxy.

while the re-addition of hypergate might give the same 'overall' etas, it is not the same as it was last round. there is no attack bonus for in cluster (in r23). therefore, you still have the ticks for allies to send defense before it ticks into the only cluster/galaxy defense area.

though, i do have to agree with your post above mine ^^^ (on the lifestyle stuff )